I recently returned to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale for a 4-day biz/pleasure trip. While there was way more biz than I had intended, I did manage to pop over to Jimbo's in Virginia Key (near Key Biscayne). Most locals haven't even heard of Jimbo's, as it's definitely an obscure, off-the-beaten-path kind of place.

Jimbo's is rather difficult to describe... it's funky, weird, cool, fun, friendly, grungy and most definitely UNIQUE! It's one of those special places where you can crack open a cold beer at 11:00 a.m... and it just seems right. The official website sums up this crazy place fairly well, as follows:

Jimbo Luznar is a man. And Jimbo's Shrimp Shack is a place. And Jimbo's Place is a state of mind.

It's simply the last place at the end of the road where everyone is welcome, from kings and politicians to working folks and the salt of the earth.

Jimbo's is not a bar; it's not a restaurant; it's not a convenience store. It's a place where you can buy shrimp bait for fishing, ice cold beer, soft drinks and the best darned smoked fish in the world.

I first discovered Jimbo's shortly before I left South Florida for the mountains of western North Carolina. I was completely enamoured with the laid back "Keys style" atmosphere, Sanford & Son decor, friendly people and general weirdness of it all - especially considering that it's nestled in the midst of one of the wealthiest & most yuppified areas in the country. I had the pleasure/honor of meeting Jimbo, himself. What a sweet, cool guy!! It's no wonder he's earned the title of "Friendliest Man on Earth".

I got a bit of his story from some of the regulars. Noteably, Jimbo has been leasing this prime waterfront spot for many years for $1.00 per year! He previously had his shrimp boat business on a piece of waterfront property that was later acquired for the Miami Herald building. The City of Miami made the $1.00/year deal with Jimbo way back in the day before the uber-development craze hit, and the contract is apparently iron clad. Unlike so many others, Jimbo never fell victim to greed, but preserved the space as a hangout of sorts for all kinds of folks. Domestic beers are still $1.50 (just grab one out of the ice-filled barrel), a huge hunk of fresh smoked fish is about $10.00, and on weekends there are usually BBQ grills going with free (or very cheap) food for whoever shows up. The bocce ball court is a hoot, as well, and Jimbo is quite the master of this obscure sport.

For me, Jimbo's is photo Nirvana... check out some of my pix...

one of the movie set shacks

 Jimbo's famous chair

near the beer

bocce ball bleachers

the famous bus

wall of fish & stuff

the keepers of the beer
 

the sign is a hoot!!

Yes, I do love this place! I'm planning to go to Jimbo's big 80th birthday party on April 6, 2007... it should be memorable at the very least.